From: KyArchives [Archives@genrecords.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 7:39 AM
To: Ky-Footsteps
Subject: Owsley.William.F.1813.Cumberland.BIOS


William F. Owsley July 9, 1813 - unknown
Cumberland County KyArchives Biography

Author: Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin

JUDGE WILLIAM F. OWSLEY was born July 9, 1813. His father, Dr. Joel Owsley, was 
born in Lincoln County, June 28, 1790. When he was in his twentieth year he 
began the study of medicine under Dr. Mason, of Lancaster, Garrard County, and 
about 1811 attended a course of lectures at Lexington, but was never a 
graduate. He then moved to Cumberland County, where he began the practice of 
his profession. In April, 1812, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann 
Lewis, a daughter of Joseph F. and Sarah (Whitley) Lewis. Joseph F. Lewis 
emigrated from London, England, to the United States, and settled in Lincoln 
County, where he carried on his trade of brick masonry, building many of the 
courthouses and public buildings erected in early times. He died in Cumberland 
County about 1828.  Sarah Whitley was a sister of Col. William Whitley, a 
Virginian and a veteran of the Revolution. He immigrated to Kentucky and was a 
celebrated Indian fighter in pioneer times, and a remarkably daring man, who 
had great influence with the Indians. He served in the campaigns against the 
Indians of Indiana, and it is said he killed the celebrated Indian chief, 
Tecumseh, and he himself was killed in the same battle. He commanded a regiment 
of provincial troops in the American Revolution, but served in the capacity of a scout in the Indian troubles, in which he lost his life. Whitley County is named for him. The marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Owsley was blessed by the addition of nine children: William F., Oscar, Edwards K., Amelia G. (wife of Robert Haskins), John Q., Helen M. (wife of James H. Ritchey), James H., M. H., and one who died in infancy. Dr. Owsley died May 30, 1869, worth $20,000, after having given each of his children a start in life. He was the first man in Cumberland County who joined the Christian Church, in which he as elder afterward. Mrs. Owsley, who was a member of the Christian Church, departed this life December 4, 1874, in the seventy-ninth year of her age. Dr. and Mrs. Owsley had lived in the town of Burkesville from 1811 until the time of their death. William Owsley, grandfather of Judge Owsley, was a native of Virginia, who immigrated to Lincoln County, Ky., when it was almost an unbroken wilderness. His marriage occurred in Virginia, and the maiden name of his wife was Catherine Bouldin. They were the parents of the following children: Newdigat, William, Samuel, John, Joel, Thomas, Nancy (Middleton), Obedience (Baughman), Patience and Kittie (Owsley). Hon. WM. Owsley is a very prominent man in State politics, was for many years judge of the court of appeals, was a champion of the old court party, and in 1844 was elected governor of the State on the Whig ticket. William Owsley, grandfather of Judge Owsley, came from London, England, to the United States, settling first in Maryland, afterward in Virginia, but finally moved to Garrard County, and is buried near Lancaster. Hon. M. H. Owsley has been, during the last twelve years, judge of the circuit court of the Eighth Judicial District, and during the twelve years preceeding was prosecuting attorney in the same district. He was also a prominent candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor of the State in 1883. Judge William F. Owsley, a native of Cumberland County, in boyhood received a limited English education, and began the battle of life on his own account at the age of fourteen. At the age of sixteen he began selling goods in Burkesville, and with the exception of one year's residence in Frankfort, where he was in the circuit clerk's office one year, he has always lived in Cumberland County. In 1836, in partnership with his father, he began selling a line of general merchandise, which he continued six years. On February 22, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen P. King, a daughter of Milton and Susan
(Wilds) King, the former of Cumberland County, the latter of Virginia. In 1843 Judge Owsley again embarked in mercantile business on his own account with a capital of $12,000, which he continued until 1851. On July 8, 1847, Mrs. Owsley, who was a member of the Christian Church, departed this life, aged twenty-three, leaving one child, Adelaide, born July 21, 1845, and married to George F. Baker. On October 23, 1851, Judge Owsley as married to Miss Mary Agnes Bledsoe, a daughter of Joseph S. and Elizabeth Susan
(Bowman) Bledsoe, natives of Cumberland County. Judge Owsley has carried on a farm many years in addition to selling goods, and besides has done a great deal of brokerage. In 1858, with F. W. Alexander, he took charge of a branch of the bank of Louisville, in Burkesville, and continued the banking business until 1865. Judge Owsley began life with nothing, and during the course of his life, has received in all, $1,500 from his father's estate. His estate now aggregates at least $100,000, all of which is the result of his own business management. The names of the children born to Judge and Mrs. Owsley are William F., born August 2, 18l52; Laura Susan, born May 22, 1854, and died March 5, 1864; and Leila Ellen, born January 5, 1866, and married to Dr. Horace H. Grant of Louisville, Ky., August 3, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Owsley and all of their children are members of the Christian Church, and Judge Owsley, who has persistently refused political preferment and has never held office, except police judge of Burkesville, is independent in politics. He lives on his farm, three-quarters of a mile from Burkesville, valued at $25,000 and containing 800 acres. William F. Owsley, Jr., was married October 13, 1874, to Miss Sally Alexander, a daughter of F. W. and Nancy G. (King) Alexander, natives of Cumberland County. This marriage has been blessed by the addition of three children: Susan King, William Fayette and Mary Agnes. Mr. Owsley has turned his entire attention during life to agriculture, and has a good English education. He has entire charge of his father's farm, besides owning a large quantity of land himself.



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